Building a brick oven - too much for a DIY Job?

[Dan Mages]

Greetings!!

I would love to build a brick oven late this summer based on plans from Allen Scott and Daniel Wing's book Bread Builders (http://www.amazon.com/Bread-Builders-Hearth-Loaves-Masonry/dp/1890132055/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201485365&sr=8-1). I have never laid a brick or done any real masonry in my entire life, except for filling a few concrete patches. Based on the information on Allen Scott's web site (http://www.ovencrafters.net), does this look like a project that would be too complex for someone without masonry skills?

There are a couple excellent step by steps of building this oven at the following links.
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/brickoven/index.html
http://www.traditionaloven.com/pizza_wood_oven/pizza_wood_oven.html

Thanks!!

Dan

[Peter Stahl]

Greetings!!

I would love to build a brick oven late this summer based on plans from Allen Scott and Daniel Wing's book Bread Builders (http://www.amazon.com/Bread-Builders-Hearth-Loaves-Masonry/dp/1890132055/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201485365&sr=8-1). I have never laid a brick or done any real masonry in my entire life, except for filling a few concrete patches. Based on the information on Allen Scott's web site (http://www.ovencrafters.net), does this look like a project that would be too complex for someone without masonry skills?

There are a couple excellent step by steps of building this oven at the following links.
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/brickoven/index.html
http://www.traditionaloven.com/pizza_wood_oven/pizza_wood_oven.html

Thanks!!

Dan
Doing masonary of any type is trying for any newbe. When you screw up it's a lot more permanent than woodworking. Need special brick for ovens, flu needs to draft correctly, etc. I would call and get estimates unless you really have your heart set on it.

[Mike Cutler]

If you're not in a hurry, and willing to learn as you go. I would say yes.
Now some of those ovens in your link are pretty elaborate in appearance, which complicates the building. But the basic oven isn't complicated. There are thousands of examples in New England. Left over from a period when each house was built with an oven, as a necessity. I know people that have these ovens in their house and still use them.

You're one hour away from Preston Trading Post. They'll have all of the refactory cement and oven bricks you need.
You're also in New Haven,and I'm willing to bet that you can find a retired mason that can "guide" you. If you decide to have it built, you definitely won't have trouble finding someone in the New Haven area.

Me, I say go for it.

[jeremy levine]

Are you going to build it indors or out ??

[Dan Mages]

Are you going to build it indors or out ??
This will definately be placed outside.

Dan


You're one hour away from Preston Trading Post. They'll have all of the refactory cement and oven bricks you need.

Thanks for the referral. I will look them up